Ethanol Infusion of the Vein of Marshall in Catheter Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Mitral Valve Replacement.

Background: The effectiveness of ethanol infusion of the vein of Marshall (EIVOM) for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with mitral valve replacement (MVR) remains to be determined.

Objectives: This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of EIVOM in catheter ablation of persistent AF in patients with MVR.

Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study.

Intelligent bacterial platform induces programmed death-ligand 1 lysosomal degradation to enhance antitumor immunity.

Engineered bacteria have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for tumor therapy by exploiting the unique features of the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this study, we developed a low-endotoxin Escherichia coli expression system to produce a fusion protein comprising the CXCL12 with the nanobody KN035 Hypoxia and immunosuppression drive the selective colonization of engineered bacteria in tumor tissues, minimizing host toxicity. Unlike conventional PD-L1 antibodies that merely block immune checkpoints, our CXCL12-KN035 fusion protein simultaneously targets the CXCR7 receptor and PD-L1 on tumor cells, inducing receptor internalization and subsequent lysosomal degradation of PD-L1.

Developing and Applying RNA Empirical Models With Secondary Structure Insights for Orthoptera Phylogenetics.

The evolutionary patterns exhibited by the ring and stem regions of the RNA secondary structure are distinct. Incorporating RNA secondary structure information into evolutionary models can improve the reliability of phylogenetic trees constructed using RNA sequences. However, empirically derived RNA evolutionary models remain scarce.

Abnormal structural changes and disturbed functional connectivity in patients with Crohn's disease and abdominal pain: a voxel-based morphometry and functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

Background: Abdominal pain is a prevalent and debilitating manifestation of Crohn's disease (CD) that significantly impacts the lives of those affected. The neurological pathways responsible for abdominal pain in patients with CD remain unidentified. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize the structural alterations in the brain and associated functional connectivity (FC) in patients with CD and abdominal pain.

Transcultural prediction model for late-life depression based on multi-cohort machine learning and explainable AI.

Background: Late-life depression is a global health concern with heterogeneous risk factors across populations. This study aimed to develop and validate a machine learning model for depression prediction in older adults using harmonized data from the United States and China.

Methods: We harmonized data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, n = 6865) and China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, n = 4476) for adults aged ≥60 years.

Influence of Glutinous Rice Raw Material Characteristics on the Aroma Profile of Rice Wine.

Rice wine is a beverage rich in flavor, but the flavor difference caused by rice raw materials has received little attention. To determine the key aroma compounds in rice wine, four types of samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O), and sensory evaluation. Thirty-eight aroma compounds were detected in the experiment, thirteen of which were identified and quantified using the internal standard method.

Co-catalysis of modified metal-organic framework immobilized enzyme with nonionic surfactant for biodiesel preparation.

With the increasing demand for sustainable energy, enzyme-catalyzed biodiesel preparation has garnered significant interest owing to its green and efficient characteristics. However, conventional immobilized lipase (LIP) is susceptible to desorption and inactivation and fails to balance the catalytic efficiency and stability, limitations that seriously restrict the industrial application. To address this, we constructed a carrier through hydrophobically modifying University of Oslo-66-NH (UiO-66-NH), an amino-functionalized metal-organic framework (MOF), with octadecylphosphonic acid (OPA).

Discovery of potent and selective PKMYT1 inhibitors for the treatment of CCNE1-amplified cancer.

PKMYT1 has recently emerged as a promising synthetic lethal target, having attracted considerable research interest over the past two years. To date, most reported inhibitors are structural analogs of RP-6306. In this study, we employed molecular dynamics (MD) simulation-guided strategies to design a novel series of selective and potent PKMYT1 inhibitors.

Identification and utilization of a novel large-effect QTL and linked markers for enhancing protein concentration in peanut.

A novel large-effect QTL qPCB03 for protein concentration was identified, and a KASP marker linked to qPCB03 was developed and validated to enhance protein concentration by 1.23 to 1.57 percentage points in the RIL populations.

Genome-wide identification and functional characterization of oleosin genes in peanut ( L.).

Peanut is a worldwide important oil crop and serves as a major source of vegetable oil. Seed oil is stored as oil bodies (OB), which are subcellular structures in the cytoplasm. Oil bodies accumulate triacylglycerols (TAGs) inside and surrounded by a monolayer of phospholipids (PL) with oil-body-membrane proteins.

Plasma ceramide mediates the association of peripheral T cells with Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: Neuroinflammation involving peripheral immune cells, particularly T lymphocytes, has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. Metabolic dysregulation in sphingolipid pathways may influence neuroinflammatory processes in AD pathogenesis. However, the specific roles of T cell subsets and their interactions with metabolic pathways in AD pathogenesis remain unclear.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 5-chlorine-2-amino-pyrimidine derivatives as potent PLK4 inhibitors.

Serine/threonine kinase PLK4, a critical regulator of centrosome duplication, is closely associated with tumorigenesis due to its role in centrosome amplification. PLK4 is overexpressed in multiple cancers and has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic target for TRIM37-amplified breast cancer. Developing safe and effective PLK4 inhibitors holds significant therapeutic potential.

A novel selective medium Sucrose-Bacitracin agar 10 for accurate isolation and identification of Streptococcus mutans.

Background: To develop and evaluate Sucrose-Bacitracin agar with 10% sucrose (SB-10), a novel selective medium designed to enhance the isolation and identification of Streptococcus mutans, a key cariogenic pathogen in dental caries.

Methods: SB-10 was compared to Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin agar with 20% sucrose (MSB-20) for its ability to support S. mutans growth, promote distinctive colony morphology, and differentiate it from other oral bacteria.

Involvement of endocannabinoid receptor 1 in oxidative and inflammatory responses underlying anxiety-like behavior in SPS&S-exposed mice.

Objective: This study investigated the role of endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling in anxiety-like behaviors associated with a PTSD mouse model (SPS&S), focusing on oxidative stress and inflammation.

Methods: We examined expression of eCB-related proteins (Cannabinoid receptor type 1, CB1 Receptor; NAPE-specific phospholipase D, NAPE-PLD; Fatty acid amide hydrolase, FAAH; and Monoacylglycerol lipase, MAGL) and inflammatory markers (IL-1β, caspase-1) in the mPFC, hippocampus, and amygdala of SPS&S-exposed mice. Plasma oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, ROS) and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2) were measured by ELISA.

Transposable elements in health and disease: Molecular basis and clinical implications.

Transposable elements (TEs), once considered genomic "junk", are now recognized as critical regulators of genome function and human disease. These mobile genetic elements-including retrotransposons (long interspersed nuclear elements [LINE-1], Alu, short interspersed nuclear element-variable numbers of tandem repeats-Alu [SVA], and human endogenous retrovirus [HERV]) and DNA transposons-are tightly regulated by multilayered mechanisms that operate from transcription through to genomic integration. Although typically silenced in somatic cells, TEs are transiently activated during key developmental stages-such as zygotic genome activation and cell fate determination-where they influence chromatin architecture, transcriptional networks, RNA processing, and innate immune responses.

Potential Mechanisms Underlying Carbimazole-Induced Cardiotoxicity and Hepatotoxicity in Zebrafish.

Carbimazole, a first-line antithyroid agent, alleviates hyperthyroidism by inhibiting thyroid hormone synthesis. However, its clinical use is complicated by adverse effects such as cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity, underscoring the need to elucidate its mechanisms in model organisms. In this study, zebrafish embryos at 6-h postfertilization (hpf) were continuously exposed to increasing carbimazole concentrations, with systematic assessment of developmental and physiological parameters.

Investigating the pharmacodynamic mechanism of Erxian decoction to alleviate sarcopenia generated by ovarian aging through the ER-mediated estrogen signaling pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Erxian decoction (EXD) is widely used in the treatment of various gynecological conditions, including menopausal syndrome, ovarian insufficiency, and premature ovarian failure (POF). As society ages, the prevalence of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) rises annually, accompanied by a progressive increase in the incidence of sarcopenia, a skeletal muscle disorder associated with osteoporosis. Recent studies have revealed that the diverse pharmacological agents and active compounds in EXD have been utilized in clinical and experimental contexts for sarcopenia; nevertheless, the mechanism by which EXD addresses postmenopausal sarcopenia remains unclear.

Comparing the analgesic effects of ultrasound-guided caudal block and dorsal penile nerve block in pediatric concealed penis correction surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Effective perioperative analgesia is critical for pediatric patients undergoing concealed penis correction surgery. Despite the utility of regional techniques like caudal block (CB) and dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB), evidence comparing their efficacy in this population remains limited. This study aimed to compare ultrasound-guided CB and DPNB for perioperative analgesia in pediatric concealed penis surgery.

Composite transposons with bivalent histone marks function as RNA-dependent enhancers in cell fate regulation.

Discrete genomic units can recombine into composite transposons that transcribe and transpose as single units, but their regulation and function are not fully understood. We report that composite transposons harbor bivalent histone marks, with activating and repressive marks in distinct regions. Genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screening, using a reporter driven by the hominid-specific composite transposon SVA (SINE [short interspersed nuclear element]-VNTR [variable number of tandem repeats]-Alu) in human cells, identified diverse genes that modify bivalent histone marks to regulate SVA transcription.

Impact of disease progression avoidance by catheter ablation on clinical outcomes in atrial fibrillation: Insights from the CABANA trial.

Background: Delaying disease progression by catheter ablation has been recognized in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF); however, its direct association with clinical outcome improvement remains unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of catheter ablation on reducing AF progression and associations with outcomes.

Methods: The Catheter Ablation vs Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation (CABANA) trial compared the efficacy of catheter ablation with drug therapy in 2204 patients with AF.

Inverted perovskite solar cells via multifunctional potassium sorbate to etch PEDOT:PSS and modify the PEDOT:PSS/perovskite interface.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has been widely used as a hole transport layer in inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the PSS chains on the surface of PEDOT:PSS can absorb water molecules in humid environments, which accelerates the degradation of the perovskite at the PEDOT:PSS/perovskite interface (hereafter referred to as the PP interface). In addition, the mismatched valence band levels between PEDOT:PSS and perovskite result in a high defect density at the PP interface, leading to significant open-circuit voltage loss.

Unveiling the Reactivity of Fluoropolymers with Sodium Metal: Mechanistic Insights and Battery Implications.

Poly-(vinylidene fluoride--hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) has broad applications across various metal-ion battery systems, such as a binder for electrodes, a supporting matrix for electrolytes, and a separator material. Due to its excellent mechanical properties, PVDF-HFP has become an excellent candidate for fabricating gel and solid-state electrolytes in sodium-based batteries. However, in this study, we noticed notable side reactions occurring at the interface of PVDF-HFP membranes and Na metal.

Individualized prediction of post-acute pancreatitis diabetes mellitus by combining lipid metabolism and anatomical features.

Objectives: To investigate the lipid metabolism and anatomical risk factors of post-acute pancreatitis diabetes mellitus (PPDM) and their value in individualized prediction.

Materials And Methods: A continuous retrospective analysis was conducted on 241 patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) treated in our hospital from January 2017 to December 2021. The type and angle of the pancreaticobiliary junction were measured on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) images, and baseline lipid metabolism indicators were collected.